With the SPL fixtures published today, Secretary Iain Blair confirmed that Rangers were omitted after an application was made for a newco, The Rangers Football Club, to join the top flight. Nothing is clear at the moment on which division the new club will play and it also remains uncertain if Dunfermline, relegated from the SPL last season, or Dundee, runners-up to promoted Ross County in the Irn-Bru First Division, would replace 'Club 12' on the fixtures list should the newco application be knocked back by the SPL. denied a place in the competition. The uncertainty also means Kilmarnock still do not know who they will welcome to Rugby Park for their opening fixture of the new season. SPL secretary said: "Following the failure of Rangers FC to exit administration via a CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement), we have received an application to register the transfer of their SPL share to a newco. Should it be rejected, then another club may be invited to join the SPL for season 2012/13." Blair also explained the rationale behind the league's first winter break since the 2002/03 season, which will take place after the games played on 2 January. The break means the Scottish Cup fourth round, when top-flight side's enter the competition this season, will take place on 1 and 2 December. Blair said: "Supporters have often told us that they favour a winter break. Indeed, we have always been open to reviving the break but fitting it into the schedule can be a problem. With no World Cup or European Championship next summer, we are able to finish our own season slightly later and incorporate a shutdown covering two weekends in January."
Source: FOOTYMAD
